Kent Strategy

Strategy plans outlined

Thursday, 27 March 2008.

The recent publication of The Football Association’s National Game Strategy for 2008-12 sits neatly with that of the Kent FA which was successfully launched last December.

The national strategy covers the whole of grassroots football from local leagues to the Football Conference where it receives and sees an investment of £200m into challenging targets with clear goals:-

To grow and retain participation
To raise standards and address abusive behaviour
To develop better players
To run the game effectively

In support of the firm goals are two twin areas of focus - a skilled workforce and improved facilities.

20,000 people were consulted and interesting statistics evolve:-

1.5 million take to the playing fields of England every week
2.4 million children want to improve their football skills
61,000 disabled people between 5 and 16 years want to play football regularly
7,000 referees drop out of the game each season

Here in Kent we are positively posed to begin to deliver but we need the assistance of the whole football family.

We need to:-

Retain referees so eventually every game has a qualified official.
Ensure we get a fair share of grant aid towards sustaining the quantity and quality of pitches and facilities.
Sustain and improve the quality of the Leadership and Governance of the Kent County Football AssociationIncrease.
Sustain player participation at all levels of the game by improving standards and creating opportunities for everyone to play

The list is endless - the national strategy pays tribute to the 400,000 volunteers on whom the game totally relies.

We have a huge opportunity - let us all take it - together.

Barry Bright
Chairman & Managing Director
Kent County Football Association